Geoff Hoon: The General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) will be held on 5 March in Brussels. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mrs. Margaret Beckett) and I will represent the UK.
	The agenda items are as follows:
	General Affairs
	Preparation of the European Council on 8-9 March
	The Council will discuss the draft agenda for the Spring European Council on 8-9 March including climate and energy security, Better Regulation and the Lisbon Agenda. The Spring European Council will be an opportunity for the EU to show global leadership in tackling climate change.
	External Relations
	World Trade Organisation/Doha Development Agenda
	If this remains on the agenda, the Commission will update the Council on the WTO Round.
	Sudan
	The Council will discuss support for the African Union Peacekeeping Mission in Darfur (AMIS). The Presidency is leading an initiative to secure further EU funds for the African Union, both bilaterally and through the Commission. We will be indicating our support for this initiative and will join the Presidency in encouraging member states who have not yet committed significant funds to do so.
	We also expect the Council to adopt Conclusions calling on the Sudanese government to give explicit consent to the UN Heavy Support Package for the peacekeeping force condemning Sudanese non-cooperation with the UN Human Rights Council and reiterating the need for an inclusive political process under the African Union-UN initiative.
	Uzbekistan
	We expect the Council to discuss the human rights situation in Uzbekistan ahead of the review in May of the EU measures imposed after the Andizhan killings.
	Middle East Peace Process
	We expect the Council to focus on the EU's response to the formation of a Palestinian National Unity Government (NUG). The Commission is likely to brief partners on proposals for an International Mechanism for Support to the Palestinian people. We support the Commission's efforts.
	Western Balkans
	The main focus of discussion is likely to be Bosnia. We expect the Council to adopt Conclusions welcoming the outcome of this week's Peace Implementation Council, which is likely to extend the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and the Bonn Powers.
	Iran
	The Council is expected to adopt Conclusion deploring Iran's non-compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1737, underlining the Security Council's intention to adopt further measures and reiterating EU support for a negotiated solution. We will also brief partners on the E3+3 senior officials' meeting in London on 26 February.
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Paul Goggins: The fifth report of the Prison Service Pay Review Body (PSPRB) on the pay of governor and officer grades in the Northern Ireland Prison Service was published yesterday.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Peter Hain) has accepted the recommendations which are in two parts. The basic increase will be implemented from 1 April 2007 and the efficiency award will be implemented following confirmation from the PSPRB that the efficiency element of the package has been delivered. The cost of the award will be met from within the existing budget allocation for the Service.
	Copies of the report have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.